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REMOTE PATROL — ESPN/ABC’s No. 1 broadcast team of Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy marveled about the thrilling Game 3 of the Thunder-Clippers series with the Thunder pulling away late on a 3-point shot by Russell Westbrook and a jumper from Kevin Durant.

ESPN/ABC’s No. 1 broadcast team of Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy marveled about the thrilling Game 3 of the Thunder-Clippers series with the Thunder pulling away late on a 3-point shot by Russell Westbrook and a jumper from Kevin Durant.

Los Angeles' Blake Griffin (32) drives to the basket as Oklahoma City's Nick Collison (4) defends during Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals in the NBA playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, May 9, 2014. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

“This was a gritty, physical game where the tempers have flared,” Breen said. “This has been fun to watch.”

“Durant and Westbrook with big, big shots… A wonderful performance by the Oklahoma City Thunder.”

Van Gundy also noted the Thunder had an edge on defense in the end, noting Thunder guard Reggie Jackson’s long drive to the basket when he was fouled in the final minute.

“When a guy can take it 60 feet and go unimpeded to the basket, your defense is not as good as it should be,”

He noted the Thunder had a strong performance from the bench, including Caron Butler. “Caron Butler (had) huge threes in the fourth quarter.”

Van Gundy, a former New York Knicks and Houston Rockets coach, turned in his usual dose of strong comments.

*On Durant’s MVP acceptance speech Tuesday: “I thought it was the best sports speech since Lou Gehrig.” He also noted that Scott Brooks got a huge compliment when Durant said “he deserved all the credit.”

*On Donald Sterling likely to fight the NBA’s move to remove him as Clippers owner after his racial comments: “I think it’s going to be a protracted, prolonged fight from Sterling.”

*On Butler’s contribution to the Thunder: “He’s a tough guy, a team guy… He’s fit in well with his ability to spread the floor.”

*After Westbrook absorbed a hard fall, Van Gundy kidded Breen that he had no idea how he felt since he and Breen’s vertical leaps were 5 inches while Westbrook was 40 inches: “Like you ever been up that high to know when you fall like that it hurts.”

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by Mel Bracht

Copy Editor, Sports Media

Mel Bracht is a copy editor on the presentation desk and also covers sports media. A 1978 graduate of Indiana University, Bracht has been a print journalist for 34 years. He started his career as sports editor of the Rensselaer (Ind.) Republican...